Rare Civil War–dated ANS signed “Custer,” one page, 3.5 x 5, Head Quarters, Army of the Potomac letterhead, [circa September 18], 1862. Battlefield communication sent to Colonel Colburn. In full: “We have captured another gun—a 12 pdr. brass howitzer.” Tastefully archivally suede-cloth-matted and framed with an image, engraved and historically detailed biographical plate, and transcriptive plaque to an overall size of 19.75 x 23.75. In fine condition, with scattered creases. Accompanied by the original period envelope in which this note was found, which was among the papers of Col. Henry Jackson Hunt; in a similar letter found among Hunt’s papers and sold by Christie’s in 1991, Custer instructs Colburn to relay his message to Hunt.
Custer quickly jotted down this note at the scene of the ferocious Battle of Antietam, just as the Confederates were retreating from the Union attack led by General George B. McClellan. Custer, then serving as a captain under the general—made evident by this stationery imprinted along the bottom with "By Command of Major General McClellan"—overstepped his authority and led a company of the 8th Illinois Cavalry westward through a weak point of the Confederate lines. He and his men swept across the Hagerstown Pike and along the flanks of D. H. Hill's brigade through to the outskirts of Sharpsburg, where General Lee had established his headquarters. Along the way from Hagerstown to Sharpsburg, they captured some Confederate ordnance—first a three-inch rifle on a caisson, and later the Howitzer here mentioned. Unable to take the artillery with them, Custer sent messages to Colonel Colburn, instructing him to tell Colonel Henry Jackson Hunt to dispatch troops to secure the guns. Custer material is scarce in any form, and such battlefield communiques are exceptionally desirable—referencing one of the most well-known field artillery weapons used during the Civil War and scrawled during one of its bloodiest battles, this is a piece of the utmost desirability and historical importance.
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